UFO sighted over San Jose in 1963

Summary

In June 1963, a civilian in San Jose, California, observed an orange object moving rapidly westward. The witness described it as round and dull orange, disappearing over the Pacific Ocean. The area was covered in heavy haze, complicating identification. Despite no photos, investigators concluded it was likely an aircraft, as its trajectory and duration matched expected flight patterns. However, the report did not rule out other possibilities.

A second report from the same month, though on a different date, recorded the sighting of a similar object, later identified as the ECHO I satellite. This NASA satellite was known for reflecting radio and visible light. The witness, a retired U.S. Army man, observed it for 10 to 15 minutes, describing it as a steady star-like object. The satellite's orbital data matched the location and time of the sighting, leading investigators to classify the case as a confirmed ECHO I observation.